Sri Lankan cuisine is very distinctive, an exotic blend of tastes and aromas enriched by ethnic diversity and centuries of interaction with outside settlers, including the European colonial powers. From rice and curry – a meal with a deceptively simple name that incorporates seven separate dishes, from curries to sambols – to the ever-popular string hoppers served hawker-style on the streets, something to please everyone can be found here.

Sri Lanka has long been known for its spices, which Sri Lankan people use liberally in their dishes. Visit a spice garden and see how some of them are grown and processed, including clove, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, mace and pepper – and other favourites such as chocolate and vanilla.…

Christmas in Sri Lanka is magical, whether you’re trekking through the tea-covered Hill Country, climbing to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress or sipping a cocktail on the beach and watching the sun sink into the sea. Peak season begins in December and runs all the way through to April. As the glorious sunshine sets in, tourists flock to this teardrop island for a taste of heat, beauty and relaxation.

Choosing to visit the west and north-west coasts in December and January is an easy way to guarantee yourself a quiet Christmas break without compromising on your experiences of the island.…

Galle Literary Festival 2017 will run between 11th – 15th January and is an unmissable event for those interested in literature.

Now in its 8th year, this event takes place in the streets of historic Galle Fort and has attracted internationally-renowned authors from across the globe.

The first four authors appearing next year have just been announced as: Colm Toibin, whose novel Brooklyn was recently adapted for the screen; Dame Margaret Drabble; Lesley Hazleton, and Amish Tripathi, who wrote India’s fastest-selling book series.…

When you arrive at Arugam Bay, you will quickly realise that it is surfers paradise. Its laid-back, down-to-earth atmosphere and myriad of people wandering along the main street carrying surf boards makes that fact hard to miss. There are several surf points around the beach town, ranging from those suitable for beginners to ones which will challenge the more experienced surfer.

2. Hideaway

Red Dot Tours’ longstanding favourite accommodation in Arugam Bay, this quirky guesthouse envelops you in tranquility the moment you step through the door. The beachy bar area is scattered with a variety of comfy seating and happens to serve the best food in town, as well as a wide range of interesting drinks.…